Feighan welcomes systems improvements to student grants body as 43,000 students awarded grants and 39,000 paid out

Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has said that the improvements to the student grant awarding body, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), have ensured that the system is now running much more efficiently and on schedule.

Deputy Feighan made his comments following confirmation that grants to 39,000 students –20,000 first time applicants and 19,000 renewals – for this academic year 2013/2014 have already been made.

“Given the previous glitches in the SUSI system and the disastrous start which occurred last year, I welcome the improvements in efficiencies which the evidence now clearly illustrates. Due to the improvements and changes that have been made, SUSI has been running more efficiently and on schedule.

“When consideration is given to the fact that 43,000 students – 23,000 first-time applicants and 20,000 renewal students – have already been notified that they have been awarded grants, compared to just 6,000 this time last year, it is clear that the turnaround time for applications has improved significantly.

“Many students rely heavily on grants to survive and get them through the academic year. It is important to note that the 4,000 students who have already been awarded grants but are awaiting outstanding payments, will be paid as soon as confirmation has been given by their colleges regarding their attendance and their bank details have been received by SUSI.

“The processing of grant applications is continuing and students can track the progress of their late applications at www.grantsonline.ie/eseries/. SUSI estimates that a total of 60,000 grants will be paid for this academic year and I would urge anyone who has any queries regarding their grant application to contact SUSI’s helpline on 0761 087874 or to email at [email protected]/* */

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